Thank you, Tea Ave, for the sample! Milk oolong makes me a little sick, so I was nervous to taste this tea…
I prepared this tea three ways: gongfu, Western, and cold-brewed.
First, brewed with a ceramic gaiwan, gongfu-style. Steeping times: 60, 90, 120, 150, 180.
The dry leaf aroma, as expected, smells milky and buttery. Maybe a little gingery? The wet leaf aroma has none of that: fresh flowers rise from newly steeped leaves, then roasted chestnuts and pecans.
The liquor is a clear, pale yellow. The texture is a little thick. Medium-bodied. Though flavorful, the notes don’t evolve much throughout the session. At the first infusion the liquor was buttery, but then the subsequent infusions were much sweeter and floral, with a perfumed aftertaste. Light like a cool spring afternoon. Calming feel, a breeze in the sunny garden.
The Western method doesn’t yield the same power. Wasn’t so appealing, unfortunately (thought I’d use this method for an oolong because it’s been years since I’ve last done it). Floral, full-bodied, no ginger.
Lastly, I drank this cold-brewed, then added ice cubs. I liked this method the most. So light and refreshing! The liquor was softly floral. A buttery note also appears. It’s not so strong as it comes off when hot-brewed, but subdued, aligned well with the flowers, allowing me to to drink and appreciate it without feeling nauseated. Finished with a wonderful stone fruit aftertaste!
I’m so used to taking ginger in my tea so strongly that I couldn’t tell it was there. Weird!
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There isn’t actually any ginger, rather it is scented with a flower called ginger lily. :)
Well that makes me feel silly. Should’ve read so that I’d have known that such a flower exists before posting my review on the website. I’ve read other reviews of people who actually tasted the spiciness of ginger. Weeeiiirrrd.
This tea does finish with a ginger note ;)
I would guess the ginger lily got its name because of a resemblance to the aroma of ginger, so don’t feel bad! There are so many flavors I had never tried and fruits and flowers I had never heard of until drinking lots of tea!
Ehh, the ginger might be too subtle for me xD
KiwiDellight It’s alright! I totally agreed with what ashmanra said :)
I’m only a couple years into tasting teas but my palate is changing fast. Oolongs seem to be the most complex for me. And I’m starting to figure out that I like Taiwanese oolongs most. Go leafhoppers!
There isn’t actually any ginger, rather it is scented with a flower called ginger lily. :)
Well that makes me feel silly. Should’ve read so that I’d have known that such a flower exists before posting my review on the website. I’ve read other reviews of people who actually tasted the spiciness of ginger. Weeeiiirrrd.
This tea does finish with a ginger note ;)
I would guess the ginger lily got its name because of a resemblance to the aroma of ginger, so don’t feel bad! There are so many flavors I had never tried and fruits and flowers I had never heard of until drinking lots of tea!
Ehh, the ginger might be too subtle for me xD
KiwiDellight It’s alright! I totally agreed with what ashmanra said :)
I’m only a couple years into tasting teas but my palate is changing fast. Oolongs seem to be the most complex for me. And I’m starting to figure out that I like Taiwanese oolongs most. Go leafhoppers!